A Guide for Schizophrenia Patient’s Caregivers

Schizophrenia’s Effect on Family and Other Relationships

Sometimes, the schizophrenia effect on the family can be quite drastic. People with schizophrenia are often emotionally unavailable because they are preoccupied with their mental stress. One of the prominent schizophrenia effects of schizophrenia on the family is delusions. Their false notions, delusions, and hallucinations make them paranoid and confused about everything around them. Consequently, family members often feel hurt and frustrated. Here are a few causes, effects, and aftereffects of schizophrenia patient care –

When the Family Neglects the Symptoms

Dealing with this condition can be very frustrating for family and friends and for anyone who knew the person before they got ill.

It is observed that an individual develops this condition mainly during their adolescent years, often causing the parents to overlook the early symptoms and dismiss them as just normal teenage behavior. Awareness of schizophrenia is very important to ensure early detection of the symptoms and proper care of the individual.

The Blame Game

Once this condition is detected, it can be disruptive to families; the members of the family constantly keep searching for someone to blame for the development of this condition. The reactions of the family members (to another family member acquiring this disease) may, at times, result in the ‘shame and blame’ syndrome. This can cause estrangement and disagreements among the family members.

Stress and Trauma

It may be hard for the family to cope with the change in behavior, attitude, and the way in which the person suffering from schizophrenia communicates. What adds more to the stress and trauma for family and friends is to see their loved one struggling to keep up with reality and experiencing auditory hallucinations and other kinds of hallucinations at times.

Depression and Denial

This condition can cause depression in both the patient as well as the family or caregiver. Anyone close to them gets affected by their sudden and extreme change in behavior. The stigma around mental disorders is still very prevalent in our society, and this restricts people from seeking support and professional help. 

It is frequently found that having a mental disorder such as schizophrenia could affect the social standing of the patients as well as their families. This causes them to stay in denial of the condition. Even when there is suspicion of the condition due to some reasons, the patient may refuse to get help or even a proper diagnosis. It may continually result in household quarrels and long-lasting family feuds, and it may cause the patient to feel neglected and out of place.

Impact on Marital Relationships

Schizophrenia can have a significant impact on a person’s marital life. The disorder affects communication, emotional intimacy, and daily functioning between two people. The partner in the relationship is often the primary caregiver and has to cope with the different symptoms associated with schizophrenia. This could lead to stress, caregiver burnout, and social isolation. Psychoeducation, seeking help from professionals, and being empathetic towards one another can help those in a relationship navigate through this difficult situation. 

Coping Strategies for Families

While schizophrenia is a difficult disorder to navigate for those battling it, the condition also impacts their families. For families of those facing schizophrenia, establishing a clear routine within the family, being openly communicative of how one is feeling, and setting clear expectations that are realistic about recovery could be crucial. 

In many cases, seeking professional help and practicing self-care might be extremely necessary. The healthier the family, the better a person’s chance of coping with the disorder.

What are the Support and Resources for Families?

• Provide information on support groups, counseling options, and resources available for families dealing with schizophrenia.
• Highlight the importance of seeking external support and maintaining caregivers' mental health.

Families of those battling schizophrenia often face significant stress and caregiver burnout. Support groups, counseling, and psychoeducation are often crucial in helping family members navigate this stressful period. Further, seeking help from mental health professionals is important to ensure caregivers are in a good mental space. 

As family members, there are certain things that they need to be prepared for and implemented when a loved one is diagnosed with Schizophrenia.

Personal Well-Being Practices

Schizophrenia often affects a person’s ability to care for themselves and their personal hygiene. Family members need to establish clear routines and practices and ensure that the individual is adhering to them as much as possible. This could include things like taking a bath, brushing teeth, changing clothes, and more. 

Emergency Response Strategy

Schizophrenia is a serious and chronic mental health condition. There are often emergencies that could necessitate quick thinking and action. Having policies and practices in place that can help during emergency situations is crucial for the safety of the individual and their family members. This could include things such as having an ambulance on call, having a family doctor, and more. 

Resilience Techniques and Self-Empowerment

Family members also play an important role in the recovery of the individual. They need to be well-versed in resilience techniques and push the individual towards healthier coping mechanisms. They also need to push the person battling the disorder to become more independent wherever possible. 

Addressing Social Misconceptions

There are a large number of myths circulating around a disorder like schizophrenia. These can cause significant distress to a person and could also lead to them being isolated and discriminated against. It is the responsibility of family members to address these misconceptions wherever possible in their daily lives.

Residential Situational Planning

Schizophrenia affects how a person perceives the world around them. Hence, planning their living space becomes extremely important. Having stress-free environments becomes crucial to their recovery and coping mechanisms. Family members also need to plan for the individual’s living situation after a diagnosis. 

‍Tips for Helping a Family Member with Schizophrenia

• Educate yourself: Learning about schizophrenia and its treatment will allow you to make informed decisions about how best to manage it, work towards recovery, and handle setbacks.
• Plan their day: Plan their day, and make sure the activities are predictable. When you are giving them a task, break them into small and easy steps. If changes are made, ensure they are gradual and not sudden. Changes are important to avoid boredom. In planning some activities, let them make the decision but make sure the matter is not complex for them to decide.
• Provide stimulation: Ensure you introduce something new in their routine now and then. Also, ensure the new activity is something they like. The activity has to be simple and easy, if necessary, involving familiar people. Let them perform in this activity; do not expect them to excel at the first go. Remember to praise and appreciate them for their effort and achievement.
• Reduce stress: Stress can cause schizophrenia symptoms to flare up, so it’s important to create a structured and supportive environment for your loved one. Avoid putting pressure on them or criticizing perceived shortcomings.
• Encourage them to socialize: Schizophrenia affects social life as the patient is too confined within their thoughts and notions. Encourage them to talk to other family members and old friends. Even if it is superficial, encourage them. Take them out for walks and gatherings, if possible, and encourage them to talk to other people.
• Get others involved: Talk to other family members and friends and ask them to get involved and interact and support the individual. Educate them about the disorder, its symptoms, and its effects. Social support can play an important role in helping the individual function better.
• Do not point out their delusion: Avoid discussing details of their delusional comments. Do not try to convince them that a belief is wrong or not real. Schizophrenia's effects on relationships can be tough to handle. Do not complicate it further by pointing out their false notions.
• Set realistic expectations: It’s important to be realistic about the challenges and limitations of schizophrenia. Help your loved one set and achieve manageable goals, and be patient with the pace of recovery and schizophrenia treatment plans.
• Listen: If the patient is agitated, listen calmly and respectfully. Respond by focusing your attention primarily on reality-based remarks.
• Empower your loved one: Be careful that you’re not taking over and doing things for your family members that they are capable of doing. Try to support your loved one while still encouraging as much independence as possible.
• Under difficult situations: There are times when they can become aggressive and difficult to handle due to their symptoms. During these times, do not confront stay in control, and stay calm. Let them do what they want, but also keep an eye on them so that they don’t harm themselves or others. Try to communicate by being understanding and assertive.
• Medications and therapies: Ensure they take their medications on time and attend their therapy sessions. Following the therapy and other treatments can be difficult for them, and they will even want to stop. But encourage them by being understanding and showing that you are concerned.

Understanding, Acceptance, and Recovery – Schizophrenia Treatment

It is important for the family to understand the condition and accept it completely. It is essential to have a strong support system because it will help with the recovery process.

It is important to know that recovery doesn’t mean that the condition is going to go away. It helps one cope with the symptoms and the conditions, enabling the patient to live and enjoy a normal life.

Leading a Normal Life with a Positive Attitude

Despite these effects of schizophrenia on family and hindrances, the patient and their family can lead a normal and happy life, considering there is proper medication combined with psychotherapy involved in schizophrenia treatment. It is important to remember that having schizophrenia is not the end of the world, and it does not bring down your social status in any way. It is treatable, and the condition may be stabilized to some extent. The key is to stay positive.

How does Cadabams help families overcome the challenges of schizophrenia?

At Cadabams, we aim to help people get an early diagnosis and speedy treatment plan for a better and healthier life. Our expert team of psychiatrists is the best in the country and holds three decades of experience in treating the most complex cases of schizophrenia. The specialists at Cadabams carefully tailor a schizophrenia patient care plan for every individual.

Taking care of a schizophrenia patient can be overwhelming, and you may feel exhausted. It is important that the caregivers take care of themselves first and monitor their physical and mental well-being while taking care of the patient. Cadabams Hospitals not only has expertise in providing the best Schizophrenia treatments but also offers many different therapies and counseling options for the caregiver to stay mentally stable while taking care of others.

Cadabams contributes to managing and alleviating the effects of schizophrenia on patients and their families:

1. Family Intervention Programs
2. Caregiver Support and Counseling
3. Structured Treatment Plans
4. Long-term Rehabilitation and Recovery Focus

If you are searching for a solution to your problem, Cadabam’s Rehabilitation Centre can help you with its team of specialized experts. We have been helping thousands of people live healthier and happier lives for 30+ years. We leverage evidence-based approaches and holistic treatment methods to help individuals effectively manage their Schizophrenia. Get in touch with us today. You can call us at +91 96111 94949.

FAQs

1. How does schizophrenia impact family dynamics?

Schizophrenia adversely affects emotional expression within families and disrupts family dynamics. Due to the symptoms of the condition, there may be a blame game, increased hostility, and a lack of open conversation. A mental health professional like a family therapist can help families navigate through this difficult period. 

2. How can families support a member with schizophrenia?

Family members play a crucial role in the recovery process from schizophrenia. They can help their family member cope with the symptoms by educating themselves about the disorder, creating a stress-free environment, being involved in the recovery process, and being empathetic towards the person as well. 

3. How can families educate themselves about schizophrenia?

Families need to educate themselves on the different symptoms of the disorder and how it affects a person if they want to assist their loved one through recovery. This could be through the internet, reading up on the disorder, and through constant conversations with a mental health professional to better understand their loved one’s situation.